Acidification of Sodium Phenoxide to Obtain Phenol

Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, is an organic compound that is widely used in various industries. It can be obtained from sodium phenoxide through a process called acidification. Let's explore this process in detail.

1. Sodium Phenoxide:
Sodium phenoxide is the sodium salt of phenol. It is formed by the reaction of phenol with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in water. The reaction can be represented as follows:
C6H5OH + NaOH → C6H5ONa + H2O

2. Acidification:
To obtain phenol from sodium phenoxide, acidification is performed. Acidification involves the addition of an acid to the sodium phenoxide solution, which leads to the formation of phenol. The acid used in this process is usually diluted hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The acid reacts with the sodium phenoxide to liberate phenol, which can be separated by various methods such as extraction or distillation.

The acidification reaction can be represented as follows:
C6H5ONa + HCl → C6H5OH + NaCl

3. Separation:
After the acidification reaction, phenol is liberated from the sodium phenoxide solution. The mixture is then subjected to a separation process to isolate phenol. One common method is extraction, where an organic solvent such as ether or chloroform is added to the mixture. Phenol is soluble in the organic solvent, while the sodium chloride formed in the reaction remains in the aqueous phase. By separating the organic and aqueous phases, phenol can be obtained in a purified form.

Another method for separation is distillation. The mixture is heated, and phenol vaporizes at a lower temperature compared to the other components. The phenol vapor is then condensed and collected, resulting in the isolation of pure phenol.

In conclusion, phenol can be obtained by acidification of sodium phenoxide. This process involves the addition of an acid to the sodium phenoxide solution, leading to the liberation of phenol. The liberated phenol can be separated from the mixture using methods such as extraction or distillation.